Thomas Boyd, The OregonianOregon quarterback Nate Costa runs against Washington State at Autzen Stadium last Saturday.A few minutes later, Kelly made the call to place Nate Costa in at quarterback during the fourth quarter of the Ducks' win over California. Handy, who coached Costa in high school, began excitedly elbowing Costa's father, John, before looking over at Costa's mother, Shawn.

"Her face was buried in her hands and she was crying as Nate went in," Handy said. "It had been such a long, long emotional road for Nate and his family. An incredible climb."

Nate Costa's appearance against Cal ended his 1,049-day drought between quarterback snaps. During that stretch between Nov. 2006 and this season, Costa heard plenty of people question his decision of staying in football with a left knee that had been surgically repaired three times.

His answer always remained the same.

"I'm a football player, this is what I do," Costa said. "People call me crazy, but I'm not going to let anything take this away from me. I just play football and have a ton of fun doing it. I never thought about giving it up."

As a reward for his perseverance, Costa is poised to make his first collegiate start Saturday when No. 13 Oregon faces UCLA in the Rose Bowl.

Oregon at UCLA

When: 12:30 p.m. Oct. 10
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
TV: ABC

Costa worked with the first unit Wednesday for the third consecutive practice while quarterback Jeremiah Masoli participated sparingly in his first workout of the week after injuring his right knee against Washington State last Saturday.

Kelly said he'll wait until Saturday to announce the starter, but all indications are that Costa will take the first snap.

"It would mean a lot to start," Costa said. "But that's one of those things that you definitely can't let overwhelm you. I'm going to keep a calm head about it. I'll be excited inside and have some nerves, but I probably won't show it. I think it'd be a great story."

It's a story that has included too many plot twists than Costa would care to relive. He arrived in Eugene after a stellar high school career in Hilmar, Calif., throwing for 2,252 yards and rushing for 1,709 yards during his senior season.

At a northern California school with 750 students, Costa shone brightly and his impact is still evident through the Ducks' gear people often wear in Hilmar. A year ago, three busloads of Hilmar residents went to Oregon's game at California to support Costa - even though Costa didn't make the trip because of his injured knee.

"He's the best we've ever had," said Handy, a Hilmar High graduate who coaches quarterbacks at the school. "Nathan was a pure quarterback and a great leader. He made every kid on that team better. I don't know if he understands the magnitude of what he's done for our town.

"He's always just been a hard-headed kid, and if there was a way, he was going to find it."

That mentality helped Costa overcome significant roadblocks during his Oregon career. In 2006, he was anointed as the quarterback of the future when he completed all five of his passes in mop-up duty against Portland State and USC.

But a torn ACL in practice in 2007 prevented him from replacing the injured Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf and led to intense rehabilitation. Costa was named the starter in August 2008, but re-tore his ACL a week before the season-opener against Washington.

Rather than sulk about his bad luck, Costa immediately went back to work in hopes of reaching the field in 2009. He attended every meeting, kept his mind involved in every game and never let himself feel like he wasn't a part of the team.

"I would never detach myself because those are my brothers," Costa said. "When I was sitting out, I got a different perspective, a coach's perspective, and I began seeing things you don't normally see. I had more time to watch film and study and that's helped me a ton."

Through that work, Costa gained the respect and admiration of his teammates. Kelly has repeatedly raved about Costa's toughness and Masoli said his fellow quarterback has been "inspirational."

When receiver D.J. Davis tore his ACL last season, his first inclination was to get down on himself. But then he thought about Costa.

"That's Mr. Three Torn ACLs right there," Davis said. "He's my mentor. I know if I tore my ACL three times, I'd probably be done with it all. But Nate really loves football."

After completing 4 of 7 passes for 35 yards - including a 26-yard completion - against Cal, Costa was "extremely confident" when he entered in the second quarter last Saturday against Washington State.

Costa completed 7 of 9 passes for 80 yards against the Cougars, but was most proud of his 4-yard touchdown run. It was the first time he had reached the end zone since high school.

"It was special," Costa said. "I've been thinking about that moment for four years. It was amazing. But it wasn't until after the game when it really sunk in. I was just blown away by the whole scenario."

Costa took several hits from defenders during the game, including a few shots to his left leg that caused some momentary anxiousness for his family and friends. But Costa came away injury-free and smiling, even enjoying the significant soreness he experienced when he woke up Sunday morning.

"I limped in here to get treatment and was definitely sore, a feeling I hadn't had in awhile," Costa said. "But it was a good soreness. Playing soreness is a lot different than surgery soreness."

Handy, who talks with Costa at least once a week, isn't surprised that Costa wound up living with offensive linemen Bo Thran, Jordan Holmes and Max Forer.

"Nathan has an offensive lineman mentality," Handy said. "Those big guys take a beating every play, get rolled over and then get up and do it all over again. They just quietly do their job. That's what Nate's done. He keeps getting up and coming back for more.

"He doesn't see roadblocks. He just sees hurdles that he gets to jump over."